ATHENS, Greece — Greek hurdler Fani Halkia appeared Monday before a prosecutor investigating the doping case that led to her expulsion from the Beijing Olympics, and insisted she did not intentionally use performance-enhancing drugs.

Halkia, the 2004 Olympic 400-meter hurdles gold medalist, tested positive for the steroid methyltrienolone on Aug. 16.

She told reporters that Athens prosecutor Costas Simitzoglou gave her until Friday to prepare her testimony, and she maintained she had not deliberately cheated.

"That is the one thing that is for sure," Halkia said. "I know that better than anyone."

The 29-year-old Halkia was the 15th Greek athlete to be caught this year taking the banned steroid.

Simitzoglou is heading an investigation into whether Halkia, her coach George Panagiotopoulos and sprinter Tassos Gousis — another of the 15 — broke Greek law by obtaining and using the steroid. All three have denied any wrongdoing.

Greece's national Olympic committee head, Minos Kyriakou, testified before Simitzoglou this month.

Last month, the International Olympic Committee filed a lawsuit against Panagiotopoulos, requesting his prosecution in Greece.

The 15 athletes who tested positive for methyltrienolone include 11 members of the Greek weightlifting team, who have been charged with illegal use of toxic substances — a misdemeanor.